Mitchell Hooper Reveals His Peptide Stack

Strongman preparations can take an enormous physical and mental toll on the body. Reigning three-time Arnold Strongman Classic champ, Strongest Man on Earth, and 2023 World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Mitchell Hooper recently detailed the peptide stack that helps him with daily performance and recovery. 

Hooper values these five injectables but cautions that peptide use is never a “one-size-fits-all approach.” His protocol was doctor-prescribed based on health, physical output, family history, and blood work. 

Hooper’s Performance and Recovery Peptide Protocol 

• Sermorelin
• Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)
• Methionine 
• NAD+ 
• Glutathione

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTSj85X3suE

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. Talking to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine is always a good idea.

Sermorelin

Dealing with soreness and muscle fatigue is a massive hurdle for strongman competitors to overcome. Hooper combats this with Sermorelin, and though he admits it’s not a “magic bullet,” it stimulates the pituitary gland to increase growth hormone secretion. It can also enhance sleep and muscle building. (1)(2)(3)

He favors Sermorelin over growth hormone since it supports the body’s ability to produce it internally rather than getting it from exogenous sources. 

 I notice a difference when I’m taking it and when I’m not.

—Mitchell Hooper

Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP)

“This is something I take multiple times daily,” Hooper explained. Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide can improve digestion, allowing him to eat larger quantities of food, a must in strongman. (4)

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Studies have shown that it supports the relaxation of smooth muscles in the heart or blood vessels. (5) When these are overly constricted, heart attacks and strokes can occur. “This is a thing that can stem that problem.” 

Methionine 

This injectable amino acid can raise glucose metabolism and aid mitochondrial respiration, which is key for creating energy from carbs and fats. (6) He finds Methionine useful for longer medleys: “I can kick into my aerobic state earlier than if I weren’t taking it.” 

NAD+ 

NAD+ is derived from vitamin B3 and assists the cellular process to create energy through ATP. (7) In a sport that straddles the line between health and performance, this is a staple in Hooper’s arsenal for longevity and recovery. (8) (9)

Glutathione

Some research has found that glutathione helps support muscle repair. Hooper described it as “The world’s best buffer for abusing your body.” (10) Whether he’s consuming excessive amounts of food or breaking through a training plateau, Hooper said, “Simply put, it’s a powerful tool to help me train hard on a regular basis.” 

More Strongman Content

• Why Luke Stoltman Withdrew From 2025 Europe’s Strongest Man
• Why Size Does Not Always Equal Strength
• 2025 Strongest Man on Earth Events Revealed

References

1. Devesa P, Gelabert M, Gonźlez-Mosquera T, et al. Growth hormone treatment enhances the functional recovery of sciatic nerves after transection and repair. Muscle Nerve. 2012;45(3):385-392. doi:10.1002/mus.22303 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22334173/
2. Van Cauter E, Plat L. Physiology of growth hormone secretion during sleep. J Pediatr. 1996;128(5 Pt 2):S32-S37. doi:10.1016/s0022-3476(96)70008-2 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8627466/
3. Welle S, Thornton C, Statt M, McHenry B. Growth hormone increases muscle mass and strength but does not rejuvenate myofibrillar protein synthesis in healthy subjects over 60 years old. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996;81(9):3239-3243. doi:10.1210/jcem.81.9.8784075 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8784075/
4. Iwasaki M, Akiba Y, Kaunitz JD. Recent advances in vasoactive intestinal peptide physiology and pathophysiology: focus on the gastrointestinal system. F1000Res. 2019;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-1629. Published 2019 Sep 12. doi:10.12688/f1000research.18039.1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31559013/
5. Henning RJ, Sawmiller DR. Vasoactive intestinal peptide: cardiovascular effects. Cardiovasc Res. 2001;49(1):27-37. doi:10.1016/s0008-6363(00)00229-7 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11121793/
6. Tripodi F, Castoldi A, Nicastro R, et al. Methionine supplementation stimulates mitochondrial respiration. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res. 2018;1865(12):1901-1913. doi:10.1016/j.bbamcr.2018.09.007 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30290237/
7. Camillo L, Zavattaro E, Savoia P. Nicotinamide: A Multifaceted Molecule in Skin Health and Beyond. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025;61(2):254. Published 2025 Feb 1. doi:10.3390/medicina61020254 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40005371/
8. Fang EF, Lautrup S, Hou Y, Demarest TG, Croteau DL, Mattson MP, Bohr VA. NAD+ in Aging: Molecular Mechanisms and Translational Implications. Trends Mol Med. 2017 Oct;23(10):899-916. doi: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.08.001. Epub 2017 Sep 9. PMID: 28899755; PMCID: PMC7494058. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7494058/
9. Gindri IM, Ferrari G, Pinto LPS, et al. Evaluation of safety and effectiveness of NAD in different clinical conditions: a systematic review. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2024;326(4):E417-E427. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00242.2023 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37971292/
10. Aoi W, Ogaya Y, Takami M, Konishi T, Sauchi Y, Park EY, Wada S, Sato K, Higashi A. Glutathione supplementation suppresses muscle fatigue induced by prolonged exercise via improved aerobic metabolism. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Feb 6;12:7. doi: 10.1186/s12970-015-0067-x. PMID: 25685110; PMCID: PMC4328900. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4328900/

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